cleaning critter required options

[melissfish]

i would like a friend or two for my clarkii clowns. As it is a small tank( 12 gallon) these are to be the only fish but i want a cleaning buddy(or a maid) im off to get 2 snails today shall i get me a crab or a shrimp which ones do i need additional lighting id like a pet that wont eat my fish it would be good if they wont eat it either, but it should help with the cleaning, and be easy to keep any ideas??

 

[saltcreep1025]

how recently did you start your tank and how did you cycle it? What type of filtration do you have?

 

[melissfish]

its been going since christmas,on bacteria in a bottle cycle and jbl brands, fish have been in for two weeks and ammonia nitrites nitrates have finally regulated and are close to 0 im not sure about the filtration, it works in the hood , i bought an acrylic tank as a complete system, i will have to check the filter wattage and post it when i get home

 

[gfishguy56]

I'd go with a cleaner shrimp; either Blood Shrimp or Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. Much prettier and more interesting to look at than snails.

 

[saltcreep1025]

if you have live rock id say get maybe 8 snails and 10 or so hermit crabs... depending on how much cleaning your tank needs. I also like emerald crabs for something a little different. I agree that a cleaner shrimp would be the best way to do. If you dont have live rock i would definetly get about 12 lbs or so. Make sure your cycle is completed because some inverts can be more sensative than fish.

HTH

rosstifer